St. Landry democrat., 1887-04-23
FLORIDA SPONGES.
The Fishing Appliances and Contrivance'
Carried by American Vessels.


Carried by American Vessels.
The Florida sponge grounds form
three separate tracts. one OF which IN
cludes most of the Florida Reefs, the
other two stretching northward along
the western coast, from near Anclote
Keys to St. Marks in Appalachee Bay.
Their total area is about three thousand
square miles. The reef grounds are
mostly shallow, and are frequented by
comparatively small boats, while the
western or bay" grounds reach off
shore into depths of thirty-tivc feet.
where the use of larger vessels is neces-
sary.
Nearly all the Florida sponging YES
sells belong to Key West. which is the
eadquarters of the fishery. As class
they rank high among the sailing craft
of the Gulf of Mexico, are strongly and
trinity built, and have ample speed to
enable them to make quick voyages
and utilize eve y moment of time dur
ing pleasant weather. In 1880, the fleet
numbered about one hundred vessels,
mostly schooner rigged, and ranging
in size from five to forty-tive tons. Be-
ing designed for large cargoes having
comparatively little weight, the per-
sonal comforts of the crew are sacri-
feed to provide sufficient accomoda-
tons for the catch. The men are quar-
tered in a small cabin at the after end,
leaving the entire h Id for the storage
of dried sponges, those freshly taken
being kept on deck.
The fishing appliances are few and
simple. A small boat, a long hook and
a water glass compose the sponger s
outfit; but patience and dexterity are
equally essential to success and the
latter can be acquired only by long
continued practice. The small boats,
called dingeys, are light sculling
| yawls, twelve to fifteen feet long and
four to five feet wide; the sponge hooks
are, in reality, three-pronged iron
spears, slightly curved, and fastened
to the end of long pole, sometimes
over thirty-five in length, this being
the greatest dept in which the Florida
| sponges are taken.
| The sponge or water glass is a simple
but necessary device when the surface
is at all ruffied by the wind, and en-
ables the sponger to continue his work
through moderately stormy weather.
1t was formerly made of a small square
box, minus its cover, by replacing the
bottom with piece of window glass
now a common water bucket, with glass
bottom, is used instead and to greater
advantage. By holding this glass upon
the surface and looking through it
small objects may be plainly seen upon
the bottom, even at depths of many
feet.
Having provided the vessel and fish
ing-gear, q crew is engaged, ane
enough provisions are laid in to last ar
entire cruise, which occupies from on!
to two months. The crew consists Of
cook and from four to fourteen fish
ermen, one # whom acts as captain
Beside the cook an even number is al
ways employed, as it is customary tt
fish in pairs, each of the small boats re
curing t. men, one to act as ''scul
ler," the other as ''hooker" or show
man." The owners of the vessels gen
orally furnish the entire outfit and pro
visions, taking one-half of the catch il
payment, the other half being divided
among the fishermen, who are, there
fore, not paid stated wages, although
the captain generally receives extra
compensation for his greater response
bility in directing the work CAaeta1
a.a~.